Hand-operated washing machine



Apil 3, 195.1 A. H. RQWLETT 2,547,543

ll-IAND-OPERATED WASHING MACHINE Filed Aug. 6, 1948 2 Sheets-5h66?l 1 J/yi QMS LA? ZT Z INVENTOR.

ATTE! RN EYB April 3, 1951 A. H. RowLETT HAND0PERATED WASHING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 6, 1948 INVENTOR.4

ATTU RN EYE `Patented pr. 3, 195i HAND-OPERATED WASHING MAoHINE Allen H. Rowlett, Washington, n. c.

Application August 6, 1948, Serial No. 42,977

(ci. fis- 75) 3 Claims. 1 This invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly to a hand-operated washing machine.

An object of the invention is to provide a hand-operated washing machine that will wash clothes quickly and thoroughly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hand-operated washing machine that can be adjusted to t various sizes of water containers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hand-operated washing machine that is extremely simple and inexpensiveV to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings'forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure l is an end elevational view of the washing machine according to the invention; y

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3 of .Figure 2; f

Figure 4 is a top plan View of the device;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5--5 of Figure 2; Y

Figure 6 is an enlarged elevational view illustrating the means for attaching the slats tothe uprights;

Figure '7 is a top plan view of the device of Figure 6.

Referring to the drawings, the washing machine includes a container for clothes comprising a pair of spaced, parallel uprights or end walls designated by the numerals I and II. Each of the uprights is provided with a lower arcuate edge, and extending between the uprights I0 and II is a plurality of spaced parallel slats I3. The slats I3 abut the outer edges of the uprights and are` secured to the latter, as by nails I4. EX- tending around the slats I3 are a pair of spaced, parallel metal straps I5, there being nails I2 eX- tending through the straps I5, through the slats I3, and terminating in the uprights to provide an additional securing means for the slats I 3 so that the slats will not become loosened from the uprights I0 and II, during use of the washing machine. The upper ends of each of the straps I are bent to define a bracket IB for embracingly receiving the uppermost of the slats I3, Figures 6 and 7. A nail I'I is driven through the bracket I6 and the slatsheld thereby and into the complemental upright to prevent loosening of the straps I5 during use of the machine.

' immobile position during use.

Secured to the bottom of the upright I0 by a plurality of screws 23, is a base I8 provided with a pair of depending legs I9, and secured to the bottom of the upright I I by a plurality of screws 23, is a second base 2i! provided with a pair of depending legs 2i. The legs I9 and 2| Ysupport the washing machine and help to Aprevent the machine from rolling during use.

Each of the uprights l0 and I I is provided with a plurality of spaced, apertures 22 for the egress and ingress therethrough of water from a tub or receptacle.

The inner faces of the uprights are each provided with a .vertically-disposed rectangular groove 2d and 25, respectively, and seated in the grooves 2li and 25 is a pair of complemental metal guide brackets or channels 26 and 2l for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The washing machine is provided with a stop means that can be adjusted for engagement with a suitable tub 28 adapted to hold'water, Figure 4, to thereby maintain the washing machine in an The stop means comprises a pair of superposed, horizontally-disposed bars 29 and 30 arranged on each side of the washing machine and the bars are each provided with tapered ends 35 and mounted for longitudinal movement relative to each other. The bars 29 and 36 are provided with a slot 3| and 32, respectively. Extending through the slots 3l and 32 and arranged in threaded engagement with the uprights is a pair of threaded bolts 33. Threaded on each of the outer ends of the threaded bolts 33 is a wing nut 34, there being a suitable Washer 36 circumposed on the bolts 33 and interposed between the wing nut 34 and the adjacent bar 29.

The agitator or rubber of the washing machine comprises a pair of vertically-disposed, spaced, parallel circular end walls 3l and 33 positioned ybetween the Auprights Iii and II of the clothes container. The walls 3l and 38 are each provided with a plurality of spaced apertures 4I for the egress and ingress therethrough of water. A plurality of spaced, parallel slats 39 extend between the walls 31 and 38 and are secured to the outer peripheral edge thereof, as by nails 40. rlhe agitator is mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, and for causing the pivotal movement a pair of spaced, parallel arms 42 and d3 are secured, as by screws 44, to the end walls 3l and 38, respectively. A rod l5 extends between the upper ends of the arms 42 and 43 and is adapted to be gripped by the operator for actuating the rubber. The pivotal connection between the agitator and the container comprises a pair of threaded pivot pins 46 and 4l Which have one end threaded 'through the end walls and into the adjacent arms 42 and 63. The other end of each of the pins 46 and di is cylindrical and is rotatably seated in the complemental channels 26 and 21.

In use, the washing machine is placed in a tub or receptacle 28 containing Water and then supported therein by the legs I9 and 2li'. The wing nuts 3ft are then loosened and the bars 29 and 3d extended until their tapered ends engage the inner surface of the tub 28, and the wing nuts are then tightened so that the washing machine will remain immobile during use. The clothes to be washed are placed on the slats ItA of the washing machine container, and the operator grips the shaft 35 and oscillates or rocks the agitator back and forth. By oscillating the agitator orrubber back and forth, the clothes will be subjected to the rubbing action thereof, and since the agitator pivot pins are free to move up and down in the channels 29 and 21 the slats 29 will follow the curvature of the clothes being washed to not only prevent direct wear to the clothes, but also to permit of suicient clearance for buttons, hooks and the like on clothes being washed to prevent their being torn out of the garments. The space between the slats I3 of the container, the space between the slats 39 of the agitator, and the apertures 22 and il allow ingress and egress of water therethrough between the washing machine and tub 28.

As many embodiments may be made of this invention, and as many modications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all ina"- ter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a washing machine, the combination with a tub, of a container for holding clothes to be washed supported in said tub, said container comprising a pair of spaced, parallel uprights, a plurality of spaced, parallel slats extending between said uprights and secured to the latter, an agitator pivotally connected to said container, said agitator comprising a pair of spaced, parallel end walls interposed between the uprights of lsaid container, a plurality of spaced, parallel slats extending between said end walls and secured thereto for coacting with the slats of said container to wash clothes upon pivotal movement of said agitator, stop means operatively connected to said container for maintaining the latter in an immobile position relative to said tub, said stop means comprising a pair of superposed bars adjustably connected to said uprights and mounted for longitudinal movement relative to each other, means for releasably locking said bars in adjusted position, and manually-operable means operatively connected to said agitator for causing pivotal movement of the latter, the outer ends of said bars adapted to engage said tub.

2. In a washing machine, the combination with a tub, of a container for holding clothes to be washed supported in said tub, said container comprising a pair of spaced, parallel uprights, a plurality of spaced, parallel slats extending between said uprights and secured to the latter, an agitator pivotally connected to said container, said agitator comprising a pair of spaced, parallel end walls interposed between the uprights of said container, a plurality of spaced, parallel slats extending between said end walls and secured thereto for coacting with the slats of said container to wash clothes upon pivotal movement of said agitator, stop means operatively connected to said container for maintaining the latter in an immobile position relative to said tub, said stop means comprising a pair of superposed bars aLdjustably connected to said upright and mounted for longitudinal movement relative to each other, means for releasably locking said bars in adjusted position, and manually-operable means operatively connected to4 said agitator for causing pivotal movement of the latter, said manually-operable means comprising a pair of spaced, parallel arms secured to said end walls, and a transversely-extending rod secured to said arms, the outer ends of said bars adapted to engage said tub.

3. In a washing machine, the combination with a tub, of a container for holding clothes to be washed supported in said tub, said container comprising a pair of uprights, a plurality of slats extending between said uprights and secured to the latter, an agitator pivotally connected to said container, said agitator comprising a pair of end walls interposed between the uprights of said container, a plurality of slats extending between said end walls and secured thereto for coacting with the slats of said container to washclothes upon pivotal movement of said agitator, stop means operatively connected to said container for maintaining the latter in an immobile position relative to said tub, said stop means comprising a pair of superposed bars adjustably connected to said uprights and mounted for longitudinal movement relative to each other, means for releasably locking said bars in adjusted position, and manually operable means operatively connected to said agitator for causing pivotal movement of the latter, the outer ends of said bars adapted to engage said tub.

ALLEN H. ROWLETT.

REFERENCES CITED The followingv references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED. STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 97,791 Merchant Dec. 14, 1869 194,406 Bouser Aug. 2l, 1877 612,182 Weil Oct. 12, 1898 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 95,566 Austria Jan. 10, 1924 

